The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-05-26
Dark thoughts like ill-omened birds I

over the long, solitary road to thai
mountain village-the same road ovel
which Desiree's little feet had wan
dered the night before. Why must al
this happen? Why for him alone was
there no happiness. no drop OF thai
elixir his heart craved? Had not every
human being the right to one sunbeam:
If Hilmar died would not this be the
natural solution of the question? Might
not Desiree then turn back to him?
No longer Papillon, an inconsolable
widowed bride; but still she would re-
main with him, and he could love and
care for her. Ought he to wish thisf
Did not the fulfillment of the wish lie
in his own hands? The slightest neg
lect of his patient at this stage of the
disease would suffice. He shuddered.
He was Mortified at himself. He clasped
his hands in agony. What terrible
power over him had every feeling con-
nected with the thought of this young
girl!
LEAD us otinto temptation" whis-
pered the quivering lips, while drops of
anguish stood on the strong mans fore
head. The day was bright, the birds
sang, nature wore her festal summer
robes. Refreshing airs streamed down
from the mountains, the swallows shot
past with exhilarating cries of joy. How
beautiful was the world! How hard it
must be for one to leave it when blest
with the love of Desired
The widows cottage now rose before
him; the window of the sick mans
chamber was open; the life-giving sum-
mer air streamed in unhindered.
"Papillon's hand has been busy here"
he thought. Hesitating, he passed the
threshold. The old woman limpeG to
meet him. "How is our patient?" he
asked, softly.
Better, l think, since the sweet
heart came. Poor young thing! He
knew her directly, and as she stepped to
his bed, he cried: Darling, you have
come at last! Now l shall die easily.
Lay your hand on my foreheadr She
did so-and sits there yet, sweet lamb''
The doctor entered the sick chamber.
Yes, there she sat, the beloved one, pale
and weary, but with a blissful light in
her eyes. Her hand rested upon the
forehead of the sufferer, who was now
sleeping. Ivan recognized his master,
and drew stealthily into the back
ground.
Uncle, he called my name, he
begged me lay my hand upon his fore
head"' whispered DeSiree. with faint
smile. Il have been praying for him,
and that you might come. Now that
you are here, all will be well. :"
Eyes, my child 1 hope so. We will
save him with the help of God. l shall
remain until the crisis is over. We will
await it together as on that night when
first met you, Papillon.
Hilmar recovered. That low-wslled
peasant chamber became a flower.
wreathed paradise for two happy,
united hearts. After time the pa
tient was removed to his friends house,
the cherished place where he had first
met Desiree. Here in the late autumn
was celebrated quiet marriage. Imme-
diately after, the bridal pair journeyed
to the south.
Life in the vine-wreathed house pass
ed quietly as if no brilliant Papillon
had ever fluttered around it. The
Russian doctor dedicated himself anew
to the sick, to scientific studies and to
his medical work, which was published
and became a standard authority.
Marianne saw with concern that he
grew graver and more reticent day by
day; and yet the children all knew
him and approached him with the old
time love and familiarity. His gener-
osity also caused the frugal cousin
much uneasiness. One cold day he
came home without his overcoat, say
ing with smile that he had flet a
poor man who needed it more than he.
Marianne waited patiently and loyalty
from year to year, still hoping THAI the
doctors "hour" would come.
With the lapse of time VANS mis-
doings became more open, and the list
OF opprobrious adjectives was read to
him almost daily. Kathe grew old and
gray in the house, still haunted by fe:gs
Of pestilence and other dire calamities,
and with new source of trouble lest
some evil might happen to the adored
Desiree on her many journeyings.
When Desiree and her husband wero
On their travels, frequent letters from |
them flew like white-winged birds over |
to the doctors house. 1--WE are happy"
was their constant refrain to the incred- |
nlous surprise of Marianne, who had |
trouble and had from year
TO year awaited that action for divorce |
which was sure to come. 1T isn't in
the nature of things she said, "for a
man tickle as Hilmar Ussikow to get on
with an ignorant child like Desiree,
who does not know how to heel stock
ing or oversee a family baking"
Later on, children's feet tripped
through the doctors garden, and a
radiant mother, with her hus-
bands arm around her, looked on smil-
ng as the great-uncle played ball with
her little lads. The ball was the self
same one Hortense had thrown into the
Eye of the young student.
;;1tksal II :]sI e